Then the lights were allegedly turned out and baton-wielding security roughed up the visiting side after they played the first 45 minutes of their clash with Yunnan Lijiang, who claim the incident is being overblown.

Yiteng's online claims were also deleted.

A Yiteng spokesman said: "The electricity of our dressing room was suddenly cut off at half-time, and all the lights went out.

"Then, dozens of security guards showed up unprompted and began beating up our players with batons.

"Erpat Dilxat, who got his name on the score-sheet in the first half, was injured in this assault."

Midfielder Dilxat, 21, had scored after just 10 minutes of the first half - and images showed him getting treatment.

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Chinese football team claim they were beaten up by security at half time

CEN/Asiawire

Security at Yunnan Lijiang were accused of using too much force

CEN/Asiawire

Pictures showed the chaotic scenes as Zhejiang Yiteng players lay in the dressing room having allegedly been beaten up

But controversy began when Meng Zhang netted a penalty after being felled.

The incident happened after Yiteng players had reportedly surrounded the referee, who awarded the home team a controversial first-half penalty that allowed them to equalise.

But protests from the away team began as soon as the penalty was given, with players encircling the referee and causing an eight-minute stoppage during the first half.

Home side Yunnan Lijiang have now failed to win any of their last five matches, having lost their previous three before Sunday.

And the Chinese FA confirmed they are due to investigate the allegations.

CEN/Asiawire

One player goes in for a scan after the alleged incident

CEN/Asiawire

The row reportedly started after Yunnan Lijiang were awarded a 45th-minute penalty

The governing body said: "A full investigation has taken place immediately after the incident happened.

"Any disciplinary offences will be dealt with severely according to law."

But Lijiang claimed: "Security forces felt the need to intervene when some of the players got into a brawl with the referees, who were being pushed and dragged.

"Only shields were used in the whole process and there was no violence. They didn’t resort to batons or any other riot gear.

"If they really told the truth, which means dozens of security guards turned off the lights and rushed into their dressing room to beat them up, how could they continue to play the second half after suffering such harm?"